Treatment for Wrinkles & Sagging Arms

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BRENDA BARRON Last Updated: Jul 18, 2017

Brenda Barron

Brenda Barron is a writer, editor and researcher based in Southern California. She has worked as a writer since 2004, with work appearing in online and print publications such as BabyZone, "Cat Fancy" and "ePregnancy." She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from California State University, Long Beach.

A part of the normal aging process involves the development of wrinkles and loose skin. A common area for this to happen is on the arms. This loose skin is unattractive and can make you feel self-conscious about wearing T-shirts. Many treatments are available for dealing with wrinkles and sagging arms. However, it's best that you have a clear understanding of what all of these treatments entail before you pursue any one option.

Indications

Before you undergo any treatment for wrinkles and sagging arms, you need to know whether you really need treatment. If you have recently lost a lot of weight, the skin on your arms might sag considerably. Some of this skin will retract over time. Making simple lifestyle changes might be enough to smooth out wrinkles and sagging skin as well. So, only pursue treatments after you've committed to a healthy diet, drinking eight glasses of water a day and moisturizing for at least six months.

Topical Creams

Topical creams can help to reduce wrinkles and sagging on the arms. Topical retinoids are the common choice because they stimulate collagen production and help to fill in wrinkles over time. Other common choices are CoQ10 and retinol-based creams. These all diminish the appearance of wrinkles and can help to tighten mild sagging skin.

Resurfacing

Resurfacing treatments can work to reduce wrinkles and sagging arms. Laser resurfacing works by heating up the deeper tissue layers to produce collagen and elastin. Over time, this will tighten sagging skin and soften wrinkles. Dermabrasion may also work to get rid of wrinkles. This might not have as much of a positive effect on sagging skin, however. During this procedure, your dermatologist uses a wire brush to remove the top layers of skin and encourage the production of new tissue that has fewer wrinkles.

Surgery

In severe cases, surgery may be the only way to fully get rid of wrinkles and sagging skin on your arms. Sagging arm skin would be removed using an arm lift or body contouring surgery. These procedures involve the removal of excess skin and the lifting up of the skin that remains. This will allow you to enjoy a more standard shaped arm and a reduction of wrinkly skin.

Recovery

Recovery for these various procedures varies tremendously. Topical creams usually only cause mild side effects like redness or peeling that usually go away on their own within a few weeks of use. Resurfacing treatments can cause mild skin irritation to open wounds. Laser resurfacing may only take a week or two to recover from, while dermabrasion could take a month or more for the wound to heal and several months for redness to go away. Surgery has the longest recovery time, with a month being the minimum. The skin will likely be painful and sore for several months as it fully heals.